Active Day on Fool Creek Fire
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 7/7/2007
Contact: Punky Moore Phone: 406-466-3560
Mike Munoz or Wendy Maples Phone: 406-466-5341 (Rocky Mountain RD Office)
Current size: Approximately 3107 acres (estimated by flight at 6:30 p.m. July 6, 2007)
Management and Status: The fire is being managed to achieve resource benefits and minimize risk to firefighters and the public in an area where fire is a major component of the ecosystem. A Northern Rockies Fire Use Management Team , in cooperation with Rocky Mountain Ranger District and Flathead National Forest personnel, is developing both short and long-term plans for management of the fire. Today's objectives are to complete trail closure signing to ensure the public does not enter the fire area where they would be exposed to significant risk, reinforce structure protection at Wrong Creek Cabin, identify helicopter dip sites, and use helicopter water drops to slow or limit the spread of the fire on the east and south perimeters as conditions allow. The fire continues to be monitored by Beartop Lookout and by flights throughout the day and evening.
Personnel/Resources on the Fire: A crew of 6 is being flown in to Wrong Creek Cabin to refuel pumps and check sprinkler lines. A crew of 2 is completing structure protection at the Gooseberry Cabin on the Flathead NF. Two helicopters will be transporting crews and equipment, assisting with reconnaissance, and dropping water on the fire if necessary.
Activity: The fire has been very active since its detection on July 4, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Active burning has at times occurred well into the night. All types of fire behavior, from fast-moving ground fire, to torching of single trees and groups of trees, to crown fire (fire carried rapidly through treetops and branches rather than along the ground) have been observed. On July 6 the fire was active on all perimeters but moved mainly to the east and southeast, pushed by wind from the west. Although temperatures are expected to be cooler than the previous 2 days, continued warm dry weather and predicted west and northwest winds will likely lead to another day of active burning and fire growth. The fire has burned into the McDonald II fire area of 2000, where the presence of previously burned timber interspersed with scattered unburned stands may alter fire behavior and allow for effective use of water drops to slow its spread.
History: The fire was started by a lightning strike on June 28 but was not detected until the afternoon of July 4, 2007. Fire progression has been as follows (all acreage figures are estimates from evening flights): 5 acres on July 4, 2000 acres on July 5, 3107 acres on July 6. The fire has grown west, north, and east since its detection. On the evening of July 6 the northwest perimeter was along the Continental Divide with a small portion burning on the Flathead National Forest, east to the upper slopes of Porphyry Ridge, and south to slopes above Open Fork Creek.
Special Concerns: Continued warm dry weather is likely to contribute to very active fire behavior. Use of mechanized and motorized equipment (including chainsaws, helicopter landings, and gas-powered pumps) is being minimized and used primarily in situations where necessary to protect safety of the public and of firefighters.
Restrictions & Closures: Several trails have been closed for public safety in the fire area: Lewis and Clark NF Trails: North Fork Sun River Trail (#110) from the junction with Route Creek Trail (#108) to Sun River Pass; Open Fork Trail (#116) in its entirety; Monroe Creek Trail (#188) in its entirety; Wrong Ridge Trail (#187) in its entirety; Washboard Reef Trail (#117) from the Wilderness boundary to junction with Trail #108; Flathead NF Trails: Sun River Pass, Bowl Creek (#324), Mount May (#256), Mount May-Trail Creek Connector (#479). An alternate route for Continental Divide National Scenic Trail users has been established; please contact the Rocky Mountain Ranger District or the Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead NF (406) 758-5376 for details.
